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LATEST NEWS UPDATES ON ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FROM ACROSS THE MEDIA SPACE

The government has implemented new rules for buying power from grid-linked solar power projects through competitive bidding under the National Solar Mission to improve transparency and standardise auctions.

The Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Make In India’ programme should place India on the global manufacturing map in coming years, with states taking right policy decisions to improve ease of doing business and attract investment, said a study released here on Tuesday.

The Centre has asked wind energy-producing states to ensure regulatory approval of power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed when tariffs and equipment costs were higher, and use special powers under the Electricity Act to issue directions to autonomous regulators in public interest, if necessary.

Determined to curb power theft that is financially bleeding its power distribution companies (discoms), the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh has decided to invoke stringent laws like the National Security Act and Goonda Act to deal with electricity thieves.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras is working on a turbine that can help bring additional 40 GW of additional electricity, or nearly 13 of the country’s generation capacity, to the national grid by harnessing wave energy.

The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 50.97 per barrel (bbl) on 21.08.2017.

UK-based Cairn Energy Plc has increased its compensation claim by $249 million in the retrospective dispute case after the income tax department adjusted tax refund due to the oil explorer towards settlement of its tax liabilities.

The Essar Group on Tuesday said it will pay an additional Rs 75.48 per share to Essar Oil's ex-shareholders, who tendered their shares at the open offer in the run-up to the delisting of the company that was sold to the Russian giant Rosneft on Monday for USD 12.9 billion.

ONGC plans to hire investment bankers to advise it on acquisition of government's 51.11 per cent stake in oil refiner HPCL , apart from the one that the government will rope in to manage its disinvestment.

Having completed a five-well appraisal drilling programme offshore Senegal earlier in the summer, Cairn Energy said it now was targeting production rates of 75,000-125,000 barrels of oil per day with first oil planned 2021-2023.

India has assured Iran that it will fast track the $1.6 billion-Chabahar rail link project, which will connect the port on the southern coast of the Gulf nation to the eastern city of Zahedan on the border with Afghanistan.

A joint inspection team probing the derailment of the Kalinga Utkal Express, which left 23 dead and 156 injured on Saturday evening, has observed several glaring lapses that could have led to the tragedy.

To dispel “myths” about Indian Railways favoring the high-cost bullet train over safety of passengers, an official mail from the Indian Railways on Monday stated that they are equally devoted to providing services and amenities to different segments of commuters.